Threatened Species
#44 in Issues today Series
What’s inside...
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the world's endangered species, exploring why over 12,000 species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction. It discusses various threats to wildlife such as hunting, logging, pollution, global climate change, and tourism. The information is sourced from government reports, newspapers, surveys, academic research, and literature from charities. The book is tailored for an 11 to 14 age group and includes activities at the end of each chapter related to the issues discussed.
Discussion points
What did you learn about the different animals in the book, and which one would you like to learn more about?
Why do you think it is important to protect threatened species?
How do you feel about the efforts being made to save these animals?
Can you think of any ways that people in our community can help these animals?
What would happen if we didn't take care of these threatened species?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book by asking them how they would feel if their favorite animal was threatened.
Make the discussion interactive by looking up more information or images of the animals mentioned in the book.
Relate the book’s themes to your child’s daily life by discussing the importance of taking care of their environment and the wildlife in it.
Ask your child to draw their favorite animal from the book and talk about what makes that animal special and worth protecting.
After reading, spend some time together watching documentaries or visiting websites that focus on wildlife conservation to reinforce the message of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy for wildlife
Explanation: Through vivid storytelling and rich illustrations, 'Threatened Species' encourages children to understand and feel for animals facing extinction.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in wildlife conservation activities like tree planting or participating in local wildlife protection programs.
Example Lesson: Responsibility toward the environment
Explanation: 'Threatened Species' portrays characters who actively work to protect their natural habitats, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility.
Real-World Application: Kids can adopt environmentally friendly practices such as recycling and conserving water to mirror the characters' responsibility.
Example Lesson: The importance of biodiversity
Explanation: The book explains how different species are interconnected and why each species is vital to maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and promote biodiversity by creating habitats for local wildlife such as bug hotels or bird feeders in their gardens.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Characters in the book often collaborate on conservation projects, highlighting how teamwork can lead to greater environmental impact.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work together in group activities at school or in community projects to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Awareness and education
Explanation: Lisa Firth's narrative underscores the power of knowledge and awareness in fostering change, as the characters learn about threatened species and share this knowledge.
Real-World Application: This inspires children to learn more about local and global environmental issues and share their knowledge with peers to spread awareness.